Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Author's Note: My apologies for not updating sooner. Life happened unfortunately, but I will try to update more often in the future.

December 15th

I was almost late for work, forgetting that Alice lived slightly further away from the Wildlife Park than I did. I burst through the office door with two minutes to spare and rushed to my desk, dumping the contents of my hands onto it. I received an amused look from some of my co-workers as I flopped down into my chair with an exasperated sigh. Jacob walked over from his desk, shrugging into his jacket as he came.

"Hey Bella," He said as he reached me. "Did you have a late night last night?" He was probably questioning my unusual lateness.

"No, nothing like that Jacob," I replied. I didn't feel like giving him all the particulars, especially the little detail that I hadn't come from home. I could only imagine what his reaction would be to that piece of information. His eyes would probably light up brighter than the Christmas lights in the town square. Jacob was a great friend and colleague, but his infatuation with me went deeper than it should. Sometimes I wondered why he wasted his efforts on me when he could have a girlfriend by now if he had showed interest in anyone else. Attractive was almost an understatement for Jacob, with dark skin from his Native American heritage, jet black waist length hair, and teeth that shone like the moon on a cloudless night. It was certain that he turned heads, but for some reason he seemed bent on keeping his focus on a taken woman. Not even the fact that I was a couple of years older seemed to deter him. It made some days at work difficult, but he was too much of a cheery person to dampen my mood for long.

"Well do you want to come for a field run today?" He asked. "I have to check some bait stations."

The bait stations he referred to are one of the methods we use for catching some of the wildlife. We use them to check the health of the animals in the general area, and the numbers, then tag them and release them where we found them. Normally I would love to do a field run, but the mass amount of snow we had been having made me doubt that we would have caught anything. Most animals would have moved closer to the mountains where there was sufficient shelter for them.

"No thanks Jacob, not today. I have a pile of paperwork to catch up on." It was true. I had been falling behind in the less desired duties of my job.

"Sure. No problems, I'll see you later." He said flashing his teeth.

Jacob left the room and I dug into the mounds of paper that cluttered my desk. I had enough work to keep me occupied for the entire day, and it did. Before I knew it, the work day was over and I was driving home.

Alice was already there when I arrived back at her house. She was in the kitchen whipping up a storm, making cookies and gingerbread men for a fundraiser a local charity was holding. The proceeds went towards helping orphaned children, a cause that Alice felt quite strongly about. It was fascinating watching Alice zoom around her tiny kitchen, with her red apron and angelic face smeared in flour. She emptied the last of a cookie mix onto a tray and then handed me the bowl. She knew how much I liked raw cookie dough.

"So how is all the baking going?" I asked, plonking myself onto a bar stool and licking my fingers.

"Not so good," she admitted. "I've only baked about one hundred cookies and about fifty gingerbread men, and I haven't even started icing them yet."

I widened my eyes in surprise.

"Only one hundred?" I asked in amazement.

"Yes," she sighed, obviously thinking that I thought the number wasn't high enough. "I've got Jasper doing baking runs for me at his house so I can catch up. I need to make at least double this." She frowned at the unbaked cookies and placed the tray in the waiting oven.

"I think there is enough Alice." I said as I scooped the last bit of the cookie dough out of the bowl. "Will you even sell all of these?"

"I didn't bake enough last year!" She claimed.

Her face was a mask of gloom, Alice could be quite the perfectionist at the best of times, and now was no different. I had to admire her efforts, if there was one thing about her it was that she never did anything half-way. Actually a lot of the time she went over the top. Like for instance when we had a joint eighteenth birthday party. Despite my objections of not wanting to celebrate without Edward there, she forged ahead with what she planned to be the party of the year. She didn't disappoint. The party was held at her parent's two story mansion, with their permission, and she had virtually turned the place into a nightclub. There was a dance floor in the middle of their lounge room, several disco balls and strobe lights hung from the ceiling, and she had somehow acquired a hot-at-the-moment DJ to play all of the latest music. There was also a bar, complete with bartenders, serving up mocktails for all of us too young to drink legally. Although I'm sure people bought their own alcohol to compensate. The party was a hit, but there were far too many people there for my liking. It felt like the entire school had turned up, instead of just our senior year. Since the party was in my honour as well as Alice's, I had a copious amount of unwanted attention directed at me. The worst part was when Mike Newton decided that he was going to try and kiss me, undeterred by my relationship with Edward. After backing me into a corner, I was forced to slap him before he got too close. Edward was furious when he found out, vowing to teach Newton a lesson, until I talked him out of it. I smiled at the memory of Edward being protective of me, it was one of his more amicable traits.

Jasper walked in the door carrying several trays of cookies, and had a wary expression on his face. I could tell that he was afraid Alice would make him bake more cookies.

"Thank you Jasper," Alice said, taking the trays out of his hands and planting a kiss on his lips. "I have one more baking run for you to do, and that should be it for tonight."

When Alice turned his back to him, Jasper glanced over at me with a defeated pout. I shrugged my shoulders and gave him a look that said 'better you than me'. I loved Alice, but I knew better than to offer her help; she would set me to work with a relentless amount of tasks to finish. Alice turned back to him and loaded his arms with more trays of raw cookie dough. Jasper groaned, and with one last helpless grimace left the kitchen to fulfil his duties. Thinking that I should probably leave the kitchen too before Alice could ask me for help, I announced that I was going to have a shower and get ready for my date. Alice's mouth curled up into a knowing smile when I spoke, but instead of reacting I simply shoved the bowl back at her, stood up and walked out of the room.

I took my time in getting ready tonight, trying to pick out something that was comfortable yet flattering. In the end I choose a cream coloured knit top and jeans. I did my hair and make-up, but by the time I was finished I still had half an hour to wait until Edward arrived. Knowing that I would begin to get fidgety like I had the night before if I stayed in my room, I decided to find out how much progress Alice had made. I found her icing Christmas tree gingerbread biscuits, putting tiny details such as baubles on them. Figuring that she wouldn't give me a strenuous task while I was dressed up, I asked her if she needed any assistance. She pointed to the mound of reindeer cookies and announced that they needed to be iced, with every twelfth one to have a red nose. I rolled my eyes at her request, grabbed an icing bag and set to work. We chatted while we worked decorated the cookies and the gingerbread trees, pausing briefly when we would have to focus on getting a part just right. She asked me about how I was feeling about tonight, and I told her that I wasn't as nervous as the night before. I still had butterflies but I was excited.

"Have you two spoken since last night?" She asked me.

"Yes," I said dreamily, thinking of the message I had received just after I woke up. "He told me that he was looking forward to seeing me tonight." Really, really looking forward to it.

Forever suspicious, Alice raised her eyebrows and questioned if that was all he had said. I blushed in response, which made her eyes widen even more, but I told her truth. That was all that he had said, I just happened to know the tone in which he would have said it. She reminded me once again that I had to stick to the rules.

"I will Alice!" I said laughing. I felt ninety-nine percent confident that we would be able to abide by them. Well, maybe ninety-eight percent.

The little smirk that she had pulled earlier in the night appeared back on her face. "Oh, I forgot to mention you have a curfew," she said casually.

I stopped right in the middle of planting a huge red blob on one of the reindeer's faces and stared at her. "Are you trying to kill me Alice?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "Don't be so dramatic Bella. It's just so you don't stay out all night. Besides, you were teenagers when you first became a couple, so if you had dated then I know for certain that Charlie would have given you a curfew. So be home by eleven pm." Charlie was my dad, and she was right, he would have given me a curfew.

I leant on the counter-top and placed my head in my hands. "Are there any other restrictions you would like to place on us? Do we need a chaperone? Or maybe I should wear a chastity belt."

Her face was smug. "No, nothing else."

If I didn't know any better, I would have thought that she was enjoying herself by putting Edward and I through torture. We both went back to the icing and I became so absorbed in what I was doing that I forgot about the time. It was only when the doorbell rang that I remembered. My heart missed a beat at the sound and I froze where I was standing.

"Well aren't you going to answer the door?" Alice badgered. "Or are you going to keep him waiting?"

"Can't you do it Alice?" I said with nerves starting to get the best of me once more.

"No! He's your date, now get moving!" She said shoving me towards the door.

I stumbled down the hallway to the front door and hesitated before opening it. The sight of Edward as I flung it open made me suck in a deep breath. His hair was just as dishevelled as it had been last night, but this time it looked deliberate. His cheeks were flushed from the cold and his lips were turned upwards in a wide grin.

"Hi Bella," he said after a moment.

"Hi Edward." I was smiling too.

"Are you ready to go?" He wondered.

"Sure, just let me grab my coat." I reached into the closet next to the front door to get my coat and snatched my purse from the small table in the middle of the hallway. As I returned to the open front door, I allowed my eyes to take Edward in completely, instead of simply looking at his face. I halted in my tracks, and then burst into laughter. Edward's face became one of amusement and confusion, but he followed my eyes which were raking his body. He glanced down to himself, then back up to me. Realisation dawned on his face and he began chuckling.

"It seems we both have good taste in clothing," he said indicating his cream jumper and jeans combination which matched mine, and we both laughed again.

Alice came out from the kitchen to see what the commotion was and we began laughing at the sight of her. Between the moment I had left the kitchen until now, it appeared that she had somehow smeared her face with icing.

"What?" Alice asked in an irritated voice.

Instead of answering I pointed to the mirror which hung on the hallway wall. She caught a glimpse of herself and squeaked, sending us into further fits of giggles.

Thoroughly annoyed by now, she turned to us and reminded me to be home by eleven o'clock or else. Edward continued to laugh but this time I fell silent. When I told him she was serious, he stopped as well, narrowing his eyes at her. Happy to have wound Edward up once more, she skipped over to me and gave me a peck on the cheek, telling me to have a great date. She smudged a bit of the icing onto my cheek in the process, and I wiped it off quickly before Edward could start laughing at me this time.

We walked out to the car, with Edward slightly ahead of me, but instead of moving towards the driver's side, he stopped at the passenger door and opened it for me. I was surprised by the gesture, but happy nonetheless. I gave him a small smile as I hopped in, and I swear I saw him blush a little.

The drive to the cinema was mildly uncomfortable, as neither of us knew exactly what to say or do. Technically I was allowed to touch him now, but I wasn't sure what would be considered appropriate. Edward eventually turned on the radio and asked me about my day. My answer took all of thirty seconds, and his answer was even shorter when I asked him the same question. Music filled the break in conversation until he asked me which movie we were going to watch.

"Twelve Days of Christmas."

"Isn't that a romantic movie?" I could hear a note of displeasure in his voice.

"It's supposed to be a comedy too," I answered, miffed.

"I'll take your word for it."

We both kept our eyes peeled for parking spaces when we arrived. Apparently we weren't the only people wanting to see a movie at this time of the week. We soon found one, and rushed to the entrance of the complex as it started to snow. On the way through we passed by several coffee shops and small eateries, as well as the games arcade. The smell of food made my stomach growl as I remembered that I had forgotten to eat. Edward glanced at me as I clutched at my abdomen.

"Hungry?" He asked.

"I'll survive, As long as I get a huge bucket of popcorn."

As we stood in line for our tickets, we attempted to make small talk. It was astonishing how awkward it was, at least for me anyhow. I found myself watching other couples who were hugging or holding hands. I couldn't look at the ones who were kissing, it stung too much. I began to feel that longing just to touch Edward again, but fear of making the first move kept me motionless. I was holding all the years of natural response inside of me, and it was excruciatingly difficult to constantly stop myself from reaching out to him, so I shoved my hands under my arms pits and held them there. Edward questioned me with his eyes, but didn't say a word. I was thankful that the line was moving quickly until I realised that the line for refreshments was just as long. I attempted to busy myself by thinking of other things, but my thoughts somehow always led back to Edward. Work; Jacob; Edward hates Jacob – oh damn. Christmas; presents; I wonder what Edward got me – ugh. Ok popcorn; eating; Edward's hand reaching into the bucket the same time as mine – oh for crying out loud! I shook my head to try and clear the thoughts from up and peered up to see Edward staring at me in amusement. I threw him a 'you do not want to know look' and moved to the counter to get the popcorn and soda. My efforts to pay for the food and drinks were thwarted by Edward as he insisted on paying for them. My rebuttal that he had paid for the tickets and thus I should pay for the food fell on deaf ears. I grumbled somewhat, but he explained to me that this was what guys did on dates, and he still had that darn amused look on his face.

We had finally made it to our theatre when I reached a dilemma. If we sat up the back, where we would normally sit, it would give the impression that a make-out session was at hand, not that I wouldn't want to, I just didn't feel that it was the impression one should be going for on their second date. On the other hand, if I sat down the front I would have to crane my neck to see the screen which would be simply uncomfortable. I figured the middle should be a safe bet, the only issue would be the possibility of having popcorn, lollies or worse thrown on us by the teens who were sitting up the back. The theatre was jam packed by the time we had got there, and we had to squeeze past several people to get two seats in the middle of the row. Unfortunately, my earlier theory of couples making out up the back was proven wrong, as the couple to the right of me started making out before the lights were dimmed. As the advertisements rolled across the screen I began to eat my popcorn and took a peek at Edward. He looked as uncomfortable as I felt, so I offered him the popcorn and watched as he took a handful and gave the bucket back to me. He caught a glance at the couple sitting next to me and proceeded to give me a devilish smile. I shook my head pre-empting his thoughts.

"Not until tomorrow," I whispered.

"Who will know?" He answered slyly.

"I will," I stated. "Besides Alice will find out, she has an inexplicable method of getting information out of anyone."

"Except for you that is," I added as an afterthought, thinking of the Christmas present that still eluded her.

He held his palms up in defeat and I went back to eating my popcorn. When the lights had gone down, I had started to feel that strange tingling sensation that which I had experienced the night before, but now as the movie started and the opening credits rolled, the feeling intensified. It felt as if it was flowing directly from Edward, so I turned my head in his direction and his eyes caught mine. I missed the beginning of the movie as I refused to move my gaze from his; watching as he drew me in with his piercing green eyes and crooked smile. I felt a blush creep onto my face as he offered me his hand. I gladly took it, and smiled as he squeezed it, then interlaced his fingers with mine. He didn't let go for the entire movie.

Next Chapter: Their "first" kiss. :)